Frederick myers



(No Model.)

P. MYERS.

SPROGKET CHAIN.

No. 571,978. Patented Nov. 24, 1896.v

Tu: nofws PETERS cn, PHoraLn'no. wAsmnom, n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK MYERS, E NEw YORK, N. Y.

SPROCKET-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 571,978, dated November 24, 1896. Application iiled June 15,1896. Serial No. 595,539. (No model.) Patented in Canada J'nne 23,1896.No. 52,729.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK MYERS, of the city, county, and State of'New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sprocket-Chains, (for which I have received Letters Patent in Canada, No. 52,7 29, dated June 23, 1896 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention has relation to sprocketchains of the class in which the alternate links are similar and are connected by coupling-blocks, the links and the blocks being detachable one from the other.

The object of the invention is the provision of a strong and durable chain of the character described, the links of which can be readily coupled and uncoupled without the use ot' tools.

To these ends the invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a piece of sprocketchain embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side view showing one of the coupling-links turned to position to permit the removal of the stud connecting it with the accompanying link. Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents one of the studs.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

My improved sprocket-chain is composed of links a and coupling-blocks 7J. Each link a is composed of two side straps a a', which are located side by side and parallel with each other, and cross-bars a2- ai, connecting the outer edges of said straps, the inner edges of the straps being disconnected, so that the straps are separated by an opening which is unobstructed at the inner edges of the straps and is obstructed only by the cross-bars CL2 a2, said opening receiving the end portions of the coupling-blocks, hereinafter described, and the teeth of the sprocket-wheel, which enter the spaces between the ends of the coupling-blocks, the cross-bars a2 a? being preferably separated sufficiently to permit the sprocket-teeth to project between them. Each side strap ce is provided with a longitudinal slot a3, which has an enlargement at at its central portion.

The coupling-blocks l) are formed at their end portions to enter the spaces betweeny the side straps and are provided with outwardlyprojecting transverse pintles b b at their end portions, which pintles are formed to closely fit the end portions of theslots a3 and are provided with heads or iianges b2 of greater diameter than the -width of the end portions of the slots a3, said heads bearing againstthe outer sides of the side straps a' and preventing said straps from spreading. The pintles b'y are formed upon studs b3, which are re- Inovably inserted in sockets b4 b4 in the coupling-blocks l).

The diameter of the enlarged portions of the slots in the link-straps is somewhat greater than that of the studs b3 and heads b2. Consequently by adjusting a block and the accompanying pintle-stud so that the stud will coincide with the enlarged portions of the slots in the link, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the stud may be moved endwise into or out of the slots a3 and sockets b4. It will be seen, therefore, that the parts of the chaincan be readily assembled and as readily separated, and that when the said parts are in their operative relation to each other they cannot become disconnected. Y

I prefer to make the coupling-blocks of a plurality of separate plates placed side by side, as indicated in the drawings, the plates being firmly secured together by any suitable means.

It will be seen that the described construction of the links enables them to be readily and cheaply made of sheet metal by striking out a suitable blank from a flat sheet and bending the blank into the form shown.

The wear is sustained by the pintle-studs, these being separable from t-he other parts of the chain, so that they can be hardened to any desired extent, it bein g feasible to equally harden the studs, the coupling-blocks, and the links.

The chain can be taken apart without the use of tools, and can therefore be very conveniently repaired by the rider in case of breakage of any of t-he parts, spare parts being carried.

The feature of the cross-bars a2 is essential ICO to the practical success of the chain, as without them the links would twist to such an extent as to render the chain unfit for use. It will be seen that by my construction of chain the disconnection of its parts is readily accomplished, while at the same time when the parts are assembled they are held firmly against any tendency to twist.

I claimh l. A chain composed of links and couplingblocks alternately coupled together, each link comprising two parallel straps provided with longitudinal slots which are centrally enlarged and cross-bars connecting the outer edges of said straps, their inner edges being disconnected, While the coupling-blocks have at their ends oppositely-projecting pintles t0 fit the ends of the slots and having heads which take over the outer sides of the straps the diameter of said heads being less than that of the enlarged portions of the slots, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A chain composed of links and couplingblocks alternately coupled together, each link comprising two parallel straps provided with longitudinal slots which are centrally enlarged, and cross-bars connecting the outer edges of said straps, their inner edges being disconnected, while the coupling-blocks have in their end portions removable studs the ends of which form oppositely-projecting transverse pintles, which are formed to fit the end portions of the slots and have heads which engage the outer sides of the straps, the diameter of said studs and heads being less than that of the enlarged portions of the slots, so that the studs are independently insertible and removable when in line with said enlargements.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this Sth day of June, A, D. 1896.

FREDERICK MYERS.

lVitnesses:

DE WITT BUcKLER, RUTHERFORD M. LosEY. 

